His Rooh

04 | His Infatuation

Rudraksh

In that fleeting moment, as our eyes locked, time seemed to slow, and the world around us blurred into insignificance. The intensity of that moment was undeniable. It felt as though a magnetic force had drawn our gazes together, and for a heartbeat, it was just her and me, lost in the depths of each other's eyes.

Her presence was captivating, and I couldn't help but be drawn to her like a moth to a flame. She was like a delicate, beautiful flower that had just bloomed, radiating an innocent charm that was hard to overlook.

I couldn't look away; her presence was like a pull I couldn't resist. But as quickly as it had started, she shyly averted her gaze, and I was left with a sense of longing. Her cheeks flushed with a delicate hue of shyness, and it only made her more captivating.

As the moment passed, Aruhi continued to greet my family,  I couldn't help but be distracted by the whirlwind of emotions that had ignited within me. My gaze, unintentionally, wandered back to Aruhi, and I found her in a heartwarming conversation with my mother.

The moment took an unexpected turn when we were about to enter the orphanage. As we were on the brink of stepping inside, two new faces entered our world.

The girl's eyes, brimming with excitement, landed squarely on Aruhi. With an infectious, high-pitched squeal of delight, she cried out, "Aruhi!"

Aruhi turned toward the source of the commotion, and the instant her eyes met with the girl's, recognition and unrestrained joy lit up her face. "Pari!" Aruhi exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine happiness.

In a heartbeat, the two friends closed the distance between them and embraced in a tight hug,

The boy who had entered with Pari stood there, a small, amused smile on his face as he watched their animated reunion. He had an air of quiet confidence and a friendly demeanour.

Aruhi's mother introduced them to our family. "These are Aruhi's dearest friends, Pari and Nikhil," she said with a welcoming smile.

But it was when Nikhil approached Aruhi for a hug that my world suddenly grew darker. His embrace was more than just friendly; it was intimate, and a surge of jealousy consumed me.

I couldn't tear my eyes away from the closeness they shared, and I felt a growing irritation within. I needed to control my jealousy, especially when I barely even knew Aruhi, yet, I smirked to myself. I had made up my mind, she was going to be mine.

As we spent the day at the orphanage, and although family and friends surrounded me, my eyes frequently drifted toward Aruhi. I couldn't help myself. 

Before we bid farewell, Maa and Baba extended an invitation. "Arvind bhai sahab, kal hamari 30th wedding anniversary hai. Aap sab zaroor aayie. It would mean a lot to us to have you with us for the celebration," Maa warmly invited the Malhotra family.

It was late in the evening when we returned home, the golden hues of the setting sun painting the sky. In the living room, Kaki sa, called for a gathering. 

As everyone settled into their seats, Kaki Sa cleared her throat, drawing everyone's attention. "I have something important to discuss with all of you," she began, her voice carrying a hint of excitement.

The room fell silent as all eyes turned toward her, awaiting her announcement with bated breath.

"I have been thinking," Kaki Sa continued, her gaze sweeping across the room, "about the future of our family, particularly when it comes to Vikram."

A ripple of anticipation coursed through the room at the mention of Vikram's name. I furrowed my brow, curious about where Kaki Sa was leading with her statement.

"Humne Vikram ke liye ek ladki pasand ayi hai," Kaki Sa declared, her tone firm and resolute.

My heart skipped a beat as I realized where Kaki Sa was leading with her announcement. The pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place, and a sense of unease settled over me.

"Who is it, Maa sa?" Kiara inquired, her curiosity evident in her voice.

Kaki Sa turned her gaze toward Kiara, her eyes alight with enthusiasm. "Its Aruhi," she declared, her words hanging in the air like a weighty proclamation.

A stunned silence descended upon the room at Kaki Sa's revelation. I felt a knot form in the pit of my stomach as I processed the implications of her announcement. Aruhi, the same girl whose presence had ignited a whirlwind of emotions within me, was now being considered as a potential match for Vikram.

The gravity of Kaki Sa's declaration hung heavy in the air, each member of the family processing the news in their own way. As the silence stretched on, I couldn't help but feel a surge of conflicting emotions rise within me.

There was a twinge of jealousy at the thought of Aruhi being considered as a match for Vikram.

Despite barely knowing her, I couldn't shake the inexplicable pull I felt toward her. The idea of her being betrothed to someone else stirred a sense of possessiveness that I struggled to contain.

"Perhaps," Dadi Sa's voice cut through the silence, her tone measured yet compassionate, "we should ask for her hand at the anniversary party, tomorrow."

The rest of the family seemed to consider Dadi Sa's suggestion, nodding in agreement at the wisdom of her words.

I knew I had to do something, I was just waiting for Vikram to speak up, but he didn't.
I glanced at him, he seemed lost in his own world, my brows furrowed, isn't he gonna say something? I mean he has never been very expressive, but his silence was not helping right now.

After everyone left, gathering my resolve, I rose from my seat, my gaze locking onto Vikram's form. His silence spoke volumes, and a flicker of frustration gnawed at me. Why wasn't he speaking up? Didn't he realize what was at stake?

"Vikram," I addressed him, my tone firm yet tinged with urgency. "Why didn't t you say something ?"

He looked taken aback, a flash of uncertainty crossing his features before he quickly composed himself. "W-what do you mean, bhaiya?" he stuttered, his voice betraying a hint of nervousness.

A wry smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I met his gaze head-on. "You know precisely what I mean," I retorted, my words laced with an edge of authority. "As your elder brother and the future king of Rajasthan, I'm not easily fooled. You don't think I wouldn't know everything? Especially related to my own siblings?" I smirked.

Vikram's facade wavered under the weight of my scrutiny, his mask of innocence crumbling with each passing moment. "I-I don't understand," he protested weakly, his words betraying a hint of unease.

I smirked inwardly as Vikram's composure began to falter under the weight of my scrutiny. It was only a matter of time before he cracked, and I relished the opportunity to witness his facade crumble before me.

With a steely resolve, I continued to press him, my tone unwavering in its authority. "Enough with the charades, Vikram," I reiterated, my voice firm and commanding. "It's time to come clean. I want to hear everything from your mouth, even though I already know it."

As Vikram's protests grew weaker, I could sense victory looming on the horizon. There was a certain satisfaction in knowing that my instincts had been spot on, that I had seen through his deception from the very beginning.